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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. Gilgamesh is now afraid of what?
2. What does Ishtar say Gilgamesh's goats shall bear?
3. What does the bull of heaven do on his third snort?
4. What does Enkidu throw at Ishtar?
5. What does Gilgamesh do with the horns of the bull of heaven?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
In Tablet 3, Gilgamesh talks about the fleetness of man's life. In Tablet 7, Enkidu laments that he is dying a disgraceful death instead of on the battlefield. The importance of a man's deeds, how he dies, and the way he is remembered are significant themes to the Epic and other heroic tales. Discuss this theme in relation to Gilgamesh. How do his rash deeds lead to a heroic life and deeds remembered? How do Gilgamesh's actions affect Enkidu's life so that he must die a disgraceful death? Does one man have to sacrifice others in order to gain notoriety for himself?
Essay Topic 2
Repetition of words, phrases, or even scenes is common in the Epic. In Tablet 9 when Gilgamesh is traveling through the the mountain pass at Mashu the lines are repeated telling how many double hours Gilgamesh journeys, that the darkness is dense and that he cannot see in front of or behind him. Discuss the effect the repetition has on this scene.
Essay Topic 3
Enlil is said to be the god who appointed Humbaba protector of the cedar forest. In Tablet, 7 Enlil is the god who announces that Enkidu shall die for his part in the killing of Humbaba, the bull of heaven and cutting down the cedar forest. Knowing that Enlil wanted the forest protected why do you think he chooses Enkidu over Gilgamesh as the one to die? Do you think that Enkidu's previous knowledge of Humbaba and the forest plays a role in Enlil's decision? Does Enlil count Gilgamesh innocent because he did not originally know the story of Humbaba and the cedar forest?
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This section contains 374 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) |
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